It does not hurt at all to get braces put on. The soreness that people talk about happens about 3 – 5 hours later, and it is best described as a dull ache. Whenever your teeth are feeling sore, it is usually more comfortable to eat softer foods. In these situations, over-the-counter pain medications can help to ease the pain (Ibuprofen / Advil works the best). Sometimes after adjustment appointments your teeth might be sore as well, but it’s usually much less than at the beginning.

Unfortunately this does not happen. Research shows that teeth typically worsen over time, and if you have crowding now it will only increase the older you get. As we age, teeth tend to shift and erupt leading to more orthodontic problems. The good news – once teeth have been corrected with treatment, you can keep them straight with the help of retainers.

Our goal is to help you achieve a beautiful smile along with a balanced facial profile. Due to advances in technology, extraction of permanent teeth during orthodontic treatment is much less common than it once was. However, in cases of severe crowding and severe bite discrepancies, extractions may still be necessary. Discussing your various treatment options is a very important part of our consultation process.

Patients should brush their teeth at least 3X times per day during orthodontic treatment. This ensures that all food and plaque are removed from around the braces after each meal. It is very important to not only brush your teeth frequently, but also to spend a full 2 minutes brushing each time. Brushing above the brackets near the gum line is the most important area to focus on. Flossing between your teeth should also be an important part of your daily routine, and purchasing a waterpik is always a great idea to help with this.

Yes, but it’s not forever! Once treatment begins, we will explain which foods and food types to avoid. Generally speaking really sticky and really crunchy foods are the ones you need to avoid. Breaking brackets always slows down treatment and keeps you in braces longer!